August20, 2010

Washington, D.C.—Today, House
Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.)
released the statement below following the release of
the Department of Defense’s final review of the
recommendations from the independent report on the
Ft. Hood shootings last year:

“These solid recommendations
reflect the immense challenges that were imposed upon the
Department of Defense during its review of the tragedy at
Ft. Hood last year. I am optimistic that the new and
revised policies, programs, and procedures implemented as a
result of these recommendations will improve the safety of
our force in measurable ways for years to come.

“Secretary Gates and the
independent panel did an excellent job rapidly identifying
and addressing our internal security shortfalls without
interfering with the criminal investigation and prosecution
of Major Hasan. By tackling this process with a patient and
deliberate attitude, we can successfully fix the shortfalls
of our force protection without hindering the ability to
bring the alleged perpetrator to justice. We now know what
steps need to be taken, and the wheels of examination,
assessment, and change have been set in motion. I look
forward to continuing oversight of the Department as we try
to move forward from this terrible event.”